In one of the oddest bits of casting news I’ve heard in a long time, Ian McShane (“Deadwood”, “Lovejoy”) has reportedly been added to the Chris Hemsworth film, Snow White and the Huntsman (that’s the one where Kristen Stewart is playing Snow, not to be confused with The Brothers Grimm: Snow White).

In a twist to the fairy tale, this version revolves around the Huntsman (Hemsworth) who is ordered to take Snow White into the woods to kill her and winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen, played by Charlize Theron.

While odd, it’s also very intriguing, as he’s been cast as a dwarf, specifically “Caesar”, the leader of the dwarves. Average sized actors playing dwarfs hasn’t been new since The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but I’ll buy a ticket for this one based on this bit of casting alone. Loooove me a good baddie and McShane is a master. I can’t wait to see him as Caesar the dwarf!

As previously reported, Snow White and the Huntsman is set to open in the US and the UK on 1 June 2012.

Photo: Lia Toby/WENN